Thomas g



T G. CHAPMAN 8v J. W. HUNT.

(No Model.)

WELL SINKING MACHINE.

Patented Aug; 16, 1892.

runs cm, Mm'rumo. wnsnmown a c UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

THOMAS G. CHAPMAN, OF CHICAGO, AND JAMES IV. I-IUNT, OF SANDWICH, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNEiASSIGNMENTS, TO ANNA B. AUSTIN.

WELL-SINKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,904, dated August 16, 1892.

Application filed October 21, 1889. Serial No. 327,682. (No model.)

is connected with the well-tube and the lat-' ter caused to alternately rise and fall and simultaneously therewith to revolve, so as'to give the requisite action to the drilling-tool, it being understood that the well-tube in such case constitutes a drill-holder, which may, however, be a rod.

The object of our invention is to provide a simple, efficient, and convenient construction of clamp for gripping the well-tube and con necting the same by a sliding connection with standards, which in well-sinking machines of the aforesaid character have been arranged upon a rotary support, which is turned during the vertical reciprocating action of the well-tube, so as to cause the rotation of the latter.

A further object is to so construct the clamp that it can be readily and conveniently applied to loosely embrace the standards and firmly grip the well-tube, and also to adapt the clamp for quick and convenient detachment from the well-tube, so that when the well-tube has sunk to an extent to require a shift on the part of the clamp it can be readily adjusted to a higher point on the well-tube.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other useful ends our invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective a portion of a wellsinking machine comprisinga clamp embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clamp with the well-tube in cross-section. Fig.

3 is asection on line'3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents one of the jaw-holders in perspective.

The clamp comprises a couple of j aw-holders A and B, provided with jaws adapted for gripping a well-tube C. The jaw-holder A may carry one of more fixed jaws, but is preferably provided with a couple of stationary jaws, or, more properly speaking, it is provided with a divided jaw having its two members or divisions a, which are set apart, as in Fig. 4, so as to steady the clamp when it is applied to the well-tube. The jaw-holderB is provided with a movable jaw 13 and means for tightening the same against the well-tube, so that when the jaw-holders are arranged, respectively, at opposite sides of the well-tube, as in Figs. 1 and 2, and tied or connected together in any suitable way, the tightening up of the movable jaw on the well-tube will cause the latter to be firmly clamped between the opposing jaws. The movable jaw 12 is desirably arranged opposite the space between the jaws a when two of the latter are employed, and to such end the jaw a is conveniently confined Within a recessed portion of its allotted holder. The studs Z) (shown in Fig. 2) are rigid with the movable jaw and arranged to extend therefrom through slots 12 in the j awholder for the purpose of steadying the jaw and maintaining its connection with the jawholder.

The cam-lever D is pivoted within the jawholder B, and arranged to act against the movable jaw so as to force the same forward and against the well-tube. This cam-lever is herein shown ashaving been swung into position to throw the movable jaw forward and place the cam-lever in a locked condition. It will be obvions that the cam-lever can be quickly swung out from such locked condition, and that its handle portion is at all times readily available to an operator. The tiebolts E serve to maintain the jaw-holders in proper relative position, and as a means for drawing the jaw-holders toward one another the tie-bolts are provided with nuts 6, which can be tightened up against one of the jawholders. vided with handles e in order that they can be quickly and conveniently manipulated.

In order to permit the clamp to be readily opened, the tie-bolts are pivoted to one of the jaw-holders and detachably connected with The nuts are also desirably prothe other, and to such end either one of the jaw-holders is notched at' its ends, so as to provide recesses adapted to receive the free ends of the tie-bolts. The tie-bolts can be pivoted to the jaw-holder A, and the jawhoider B can have notched ends, or, as herein shown, the tie-bolts can be pivoted to the j awholders B, and the jaw-holder A can be provided with end notches 0., adapted to receive thefree ends of the tie-bolts. With such arrangement the nuts can be tightened against one of the jaw-holders, as in Fig. 2, while, on the other hand, by loosening the nuts either or both of the tie-bolts can be swung out from their allotted notches.

When the clamp is applied for gripping the well-tube, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the standards F, which rise from a rotary support G, extend between the jaw-holders A and B. The jawholders do not, however, grip the standards, but are held apart when the well-tube is clamped between their jaws. The well-tube extends down through a central opening in the rotary su pport for the standards, in which way, while the rotary action of support and standards as a whole will necessarily cause the standards to engage the jaw-holders, and thereby revolve the clamp and well-tube, the well-tube and clamp thereon can be alternately raised and dropped, since the jawholders will slide up and down upon the standards.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, in a well-sinking machine, of a pair of standards F, arranged to rise from a rotary support, and a vertically-movable clamp arranged to slide upon but revolve with the standards and constructed with a pair of oppositelyarranged jaw-holders connected together so as to provide between them a space in which the standards are received, said jaws positioned upon said jaw-holders vided jawa a, rigidly secured to one of said holders, and a jaw 1), adjustable upon the remaining one of said holders and arranged opposite the space between the divisions of the other jaw.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of jaw-holders A and B, respectively provided with fixed and movable jaws and connected together to form a clamp having at opposite sides of its jaws suitable space for the herein-described standards in a well-sinking machine, and a cam-lever D for adjusting the movable jaw.

4. The combination, in a well-sinking machine, of a pair of standards F, arranged to rise from a rotary support, and a verticallymovable clamp arranged to slide upon but revolve with the standards and constructed with a pair of oppositely-arranged jaw-holders provided with jaws adapted to grip and hold the well-tube or drill-holder at apoint between the standards, rods E, hinged to one j aw-holder and arranged to engage in notches 0. in the ends of the opposite jaw-holder, and nuts e, applied to the free ends of the rods so as to engage said last-specified jaw-holder, substantially as described.

THOMAS G. CHAPMAN. JAS. W. HUNT. Witnesses:

CHAS. G. PAGE, ANNIE L. COATES. 

